One million e-cars in the UK and the latest batteries

In January this year, the UK reached the milestone of one million registered electric cars, according to data from the country’s Association of Automotive Manufacturers and Traders. Last year, there was a significant increase in their sales – by the end of 2022, only approximately 674,000 such vehicles were authorized for use in Great Britain. The association considers this a milestone achievement and expects pure electric cars to account for more than 30% of new vehicles registered in 2024.

One of the arguments against switching to an electric car is the fear of how long the battery will last. In response to that doubt, researchers from South Korea have developed a new battery system that uses tiny silicon particles and gel polymer electrolytes. According to its creators, there is a chance for a revolution in energy storage and increasing the vehicle’s range to 1,000 km on a single charge.

Extending the range and life of car batteries is also possible with simple changes to the vehicle’s software. A team from Stanford University has discovered that leaving a lithium-metal battery in a discharged state can regain lost capacity and extend its life. Improvements can be made by reprogramming the battery management system without additional costs or material changes. Until now, lithium metal batteries were impractical for commercial use because they lost capacity too quickly.